As the Minister for Sport, James McDaid, was shepherding the new legislation on the Sports Council through the Dail last week he was getting increasingly agitated. It wasn't because of the niggling of the Opposition, however. McDaid had a hot tip for the 12.30 at Brighton and since he was sitting in the ministerial front row of the chamber, he was trapped. As frustration mounted he knew what he had to do. He got a colleague to sit in for him and slipped out to call his bookmaker to place £25 each way on Facile Tigre. It came in at 16 to one. The Minister's two-minute absence netted him a tidy £650.
Meanwhile, speculation continues on who will be the new chairman to replace John Treacy when he becomes chief executive shortly. Well-known sporting types including Jona- than Irwin and Tony Hanahoe have been mentioned, but Quidnunc, who is thinking of taking up betting, is putting her money on Pat O'Neill, MD of Avonmore.